Thousands march in Berlin in support of refugees in Greece

·

Thousands of people marched in Berlin on Sunday demanding that the government do more to help migrants stuck in Greece, many of whom have been made homeless since fires ravaged the country’s largest refugee camp.

The crowd marched through the capital to the landmark Victory Column carrying signs with slogans like “we have space” and “Seehofer, be a Christian” — a reference to Interior Minister Horst Seehofer.

Photo: Reuters / Christian Mang.

“I find it unacceptable that we live in one of the richest parts of the world and are somehow scared of 15,000 people and there is an eternal discussion about who will help these people,” one demonstrator, Oliver Bock, told Reuters.

More than 12,000 migrants and refugees fled the Moria refugee camp fire, which the Greek government says was deliberately set by a small group of Afghan migrants to protest a virus lockdown at the camp.

About 9,000 of them have now been moved into a new temporary facility on the island of Lesvos, government officials said on Saturday.

READ MORE: Greece to build permanent migrant centre on Lesvos to replace Moria.

Participants in a demonstration for the immediate evacuation of all Greek camps hold protest signs in Berlin, Germany, Sunday, September 20, 2020. Photo: Joerg Carstensen/dpa via AP.

Germany’s government said last week it would take in 1,553 migrants — 408 families with children — from various Greek islands who have already been granted protected status in Greece. The move came on top of a decision to take in up to 150 unaccompanied children as part of a European effort.

The weekend demonstrators demanded that Germany do more, and that the government not block independent state or municipal efforts to take in refugees themselves.

About 3,000 people had registered to take part in the march, but police told the dpa news agency the crowd numbered in the “mid four-digit range.”

Advertisement

Share:

KEEP UP TO DATE WITH TGH

By subscribing you accept our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.

Advertisement

Latest News

Public outcry as Yarra Council upholds order to remove gate at Alphington Grammar

People have united in strong opposition to a controversial decision by Yarra City Council to remove a front gate at Alphington Grammar School

Kyrgios and Osaka join forces for US Open mixed doubles shake-up

Nick Kyrgios is set to return to the court at this year’s US Open in a high-profile mixed doubles pairing with Naomi Osaka.

Kastellorizian spirit, Australian heart: Eleni Millios-Hullick’s mission to cure brain cancer

Eleni Millios-Hullick is a passionate Greek Australian from Townsville, Queensland, and the current CEO of The Cure Starts Now Australia.

Arthur Sinodinos AO shares strategic global insights at Business Sydney briefing

Former Australian Ambassador to the United States, the Hon. Arthur Sinodinos AO, delivered a timely and insightful address.

Victoria Floratos crafts beauty from fragile shells and migrant histories

In a Richmond studio, surrounded by tubs of meticulously washed eggshells, Victoria Floratos is piecing together more than just artworks.

You May Also Like

Italy seizes nearly 2000 respirators bound for Greece in coronavirus fight

Italian authorities have seized a shipment of 1,840 manual respirators and other medical supplies intended for patients receiving hospital treatment for COVID-19 in Greece.

Greek and Australian beaches named among top 20 in the world

A surfer’s paradise with pink sand at the most eastern point of Australia is according to Lonely Planet the best beach in the world.

‘Proud to represent three countries’: Cypriot Australian Silia Kapsis prepares for Eurovision

At just 17, Sydney-born singer and dancer Silia Kapsis will be the youngest Australian ever to set foot on the Eurovision stage.